Hi, I have a 1994 F250. It has a swapped in Dana 60 solid axle (balljoint) and it has a large custom lift on it, however it is done right so to speak. The truck has always steered good, it has a dual stabilizer on it as well. Lately I've noticed that I can hear a power steering whine that has developed, and just a little bit ago I noticed the truck now has an inch or so of play in the steering wheel. The truck still steers good, but it has never had any play in the steering wheel and now it does out of nowhere. I know with the large lift it puts stress on different components and can prematurely wear everything, however what would be my prime suspect? Again, the truck has about an inch or so of play in the steering wheel, and all the way down the shaft until I reach the box I can move it an inch from side to side. any input is much appreciated.

Also, I was inspecting the front end components and found that my drag link moves incredibly easy by hand. I know they should move a little, but when I grab the drag link with both hands and twist it towards me and away from me, I can move it an inch in either direction. Is this too extreme? Is it safe to continue driving? Perhaps it moves a bit more because of the extreme angle?

Thanks a lot

 

I think you answered your own question. I would be putting a drag link on it.

 

If the angle on your draglink is that bad, you need a drop pitman arm as well as repairing your drag link issue.

 

The truck has a 10" drop pitman arm. The movement comes from the drag link pivoting on the ball of the drag link tie rod ends. There did not seem to be any movement from the pitman arm or where the drag link tie rod end meets the pitman arm. The drag link pivots where the grease fitting is. Bad drag link?

 

A tie rod is only bad if you can see lateral play as a helper moves the wheel back and forth. It's best to leave truck off, key on, and go back and forth with the wheel without yanking on it.

 

I'll take a better look at it and have someone help me tomorrow and let you guys know exactly what I see. Thanks

 

10" drop pitman arm? How big is this truck? Most 6" lifts only come with a 4" drop pitman arm.

 

The truck has a 4 inch lift shackle reversal kit with 12 inch custom springs in the front, and 16 inch lift custom springs in the rear. I'll be doing some more looking around today and I'll take some pictures.

As of now, it just looks like the drag link swivels/pivots on the ball and socket of the drag link tie rod ends. They are supposed to move a bit in order to function correctly, right?

As for the play in the steering wheel, it seems to be somewhere in the shaft before the box, or maybe the box itself? If the drag link did have an issue that would create the inch or so of play in the steering wheel wouldn't it?

Sorry about all the questions, I just feel that I learn and catch onto things better if I ask more questions about it. I appreciate all of your inputs thus far. Thanks

 

Check the bolts holding the gear box to frame. Make sure they are tight. And examine the frame in that area. These boxes do wear out, and large wheels and tires speed that process up. I replaced a gear box on a lifted bronco. Drove like a different vehicle. There is also adjustment to get slack out of the gear box, but I've never had much luck with it. It's just a bolt on the front if gear box with a jamb nut on it. If you tighten it to much the steering will not bring itself back to straight after a turn.

 

Thanks I will be checking the steering box bolts today when I get to look at the truck a bit more